Athletic gear with a printed cover

ABSTRACT

An article of athletic gear, such as an article of protective athletic equipment (e.g., a leg pad, an arm pad, shoulder pads, a chest protector, or a protective glove), wearable by a user and comprising a core (e.g., comprising protective padding) and a cover that is disposed on the core and comprises synthetic material and a printed image (e.g., a digitally-printed image) on the synthetic material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Pat. Application 62/033,770 filed on Aug. 6, 2014 and herebyincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to athletic gear, such as protectiveathletic equipment (e.g., leg pads, goalkeeper blockers, shoulder pads,arm pads, chest protectors, protective gloves, etc.) and other articlesof athletic gear, worn by individuals engaging in hockey, lacrosse,baseball, football, and other sports.

BACKGROUND

Individuals engaging in various sports, such as hockey, lacrosse,football, baseball, etc., typically wear athletic gear, including, forinstance, protective athletic equipment (e.g., leg pads, shoulder pads,arm pads, gloves, helmets, etc.) to protect themselves against impactswith other people and/or objects (e.g., pucks, balls, sticks, playingsurfaces, boards, etc.).

For example, hockey goalkeepers wear leg pads to protect their legsagainst impacts from pucks, balls, hockey sticks or other objects and/orto protect their legs when moving (e.g., dropping) them onto a playingsurface, as well as a blocker on one of their hands to block shots bydeflecting them away.

A hockey goalkeeper’s leg pad or blocker typically comprises protectivepadding for providing padded protection and an outer cover disposed overthe protective padding. The outer cover is exposed and thus usuallyserves to decorate the leg pad or blocker. For example, the outer covermay display a design including a color pattern, a logo, a word, etc. Theouter cover is typically made of panels of synthetic pliable materialsuch as synthetic leather (e.g., polyurethane (PU) leather) or fabric(e.g., nylon fabric, polyester fabric, Cordura™ fabric, etc.) that arecut into a desired configuration and sewn over the protective padding.

This type of outer cover of a hockey goalkeeper’s leg pad or blocker hassome drawbacks. For instance, it limits the design that can be displayedby the outer cover since elaborate designs may be too expensive ortime-consuming to realize, if at all possible.

Outer covers of other articles of protective athletic equipment (e.g.,shoulder pads, arm pads, chest protectors, protective gloves, etc.) wornby individuals engaging in hockey, lacrosse, baseball, football, andother sports may present similar drawbacks.

Other articles of athletic gear, which may not be used mainly or solelyfor protection, may also be limited in terms of design of their outerappearance. For instance, skates may be limited in design of their outerappearance due to certain constraints (e.g., materials, serigraphylimitations, etc.).

For these and other reasons, there is a need for improvements inathletic gear such as protective athletic equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various aspects of the invention, there is provided anarticle of athletic gear (e.g., an article of protective athleticequipment, a skate, etc.) wearable by a user and comprising a core and acover that is disposed on the core and comprises a synthetic materialand a printed image (e.g., a digitally-printed image) on the syntheticmaterial. This may provide significant freedom in designing anappearance of the article of athletic gear, notably as this may allowvirtually any desired external design, even if very elaborate, to beefficiently imparted to the article of athletic gear.

For example, according to an aspect of the invention, there is providedan article of athletic gear wearable by a user. The article of athleticgear comprises a core and a cover disposed on the core. The covercomprises a synthetic material and a printed image on the syntheticmaterial.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anarticle of protective athletic equipment wearable by a user. The articleof protective athletic equipment comprises protective padding and acover disposed on the protective padding. The cover comprises syntheticmaterial and a printed image on the synthetic material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof making a cover for an article of protective athletic equipmentwearable by a user. The article of protective athletic equipmentcomprises protective padding. The cover is mountable on the protectivepadding. The method comprises providing synthetic material of the coverand printing an image on the synthetic material such that the coverincludes a printed image.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a legpad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable on a leg of thehockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises protectivepadding and an outer cover disposed on the protective padding. The outercover comprises synthetic material and a printed image on the syntheticmaterial.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided ablocking glove for a hockey goalkeeper. The blocking glove is wearableon a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to block a puck or ball. The blockingglove comprises protective padding and an outer cover disposed on theprotective padding. The outer cover comprises synthetic material and aprinted image on the synthetic material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided acatching glove for a hockey goalkeeper. The catching glove is wearableon a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to catch a puck or ball. The catchingglove comprises protective padding and an outer cover disposed on theprotective padding. The outer cover comprises synthetic material and aprinted image on the synthetic material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a skatewearable by a user. The skate comprises a core and a cover disposed onthe core. The cover comprises a synthetic material and a printed imageon the synthetic material.

These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is providedbelow, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an example of leg pads for protecting legsof a hockey goalkeeper in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a right one of the leg pads;

FIGS. 3 to 5 show a front view, a lateral view and a medial view of theleg pad;

FIG. 6 shows an outer cover, protective padding, and an inner cover ofthe leg pad, in which the outer cover comprises a printed image;

FIGS. 7A to 7C show a front view and perspective views of the outercover of the leg pad;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the leg pad;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of part of the outer cover of theleg pad;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of part of a covering of the outercover of the leg pad;

FIG. 11 shows a texture of the covering;

FIG. 12 shows different covering pieces of the covering;

FIG. 13 shows a digital printer and a computing apparatus used forprinting the printed image of the outer cover of the leg pad inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 shows an example of a flow diagram illustrating steps forproducing the printed image of the outer cover in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 shows an example of a common sheet on which image portions ofthe printed image are printed;

FIGS. 16 and 17 respectively show a perspective view and a side view ofthe protective padding of the leg pad;

FIG. 18 shows a back view of the leg pad;

FIG. 19 shows an assembly of the outer cover, the protective padding andthe inner cover of the leg pad;

FIG. 20 shows an example of a catching glove comprising an outer coverthat comprises a printed image in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of part of the catching glove;

FIG. 22 shows a sheet to make the outer cover including the printedimage of the catching glove of FIG. 20 ;

FIGS. 23 to 25 show an example of a blocking glove comprising an outercover that comprises a printed image in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional view of part of the blocking glove;

FIG. 27 shows an example of leg pads in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention, wherein printed images of outer covers ofthe leg pads constitute a visual continuation of one another;

FIGS. 28 and 29 show an example of a variant of the blocking glove whichcomprises a graphical element separate from the printed image andvisually integrated with the printed image;

FIGS. 30 to 36 show an example of a skate comprising a printed outercover in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 37 shows an example of the computing apparatus; and

FIGS. 38 and 39 show front and side views of a leg of the hockeygoalkeeper.

The description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustratingcertain embodiments of the invention and are an aid for understanding.They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an example of athletic gear 10 wearable by a user inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, theuser is a hockey goalkeeper and the athletic gear 10 is protectiveathletic equipment to protect the hockey goalkeeper while playinghockey. More particularly, in this embodiment, the protective athleticequipment 10 comprises a pair of leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ wearable on thegoalkeeper’s legs 16 ₁, 16 ₂ while playing hockey to protect the legs 16₁, 16 ₂ against an impact from a puck, ball, hockey stick or otherobject and/or to protect the legs 16 ₁, 16 ₂ when moving (e.g.,dropping) them onto a playing surface 11. In this example, a type ofhockey played is ice hockey such that the playing surface 11 is ice andthe leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ are ice hockey goalkeeper leg pads.

As further discussed later, in this embodiment, the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂comprise printed graphics (e.g., digitally-printed graphics) as part oftheir external design. This provides significant freedom in designing anappearance of the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂, notably as this may allowvirtually any desired external design, even if very elaborate, to beefficiently imparted to the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂. This can also reduce aweight of each of the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂.

The leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ protect various regions of the goalkeeper’s legs16 ₁, 16 ₂. In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIGS. 2 to5, 38 and 39 , each leg pad 12 _(x) comprises an upper leg portion 30, aknee portion 31, a lower leg portion 32, and a foot portion 33respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to an upper leg 18, aknee 19, a lower leg 20, and a foot 21 of a leg 16 _(x) of thegoalkeeper when the leg pad 12 _(x) is worn on the leg 16 _(x). Theupper leg portion 30 is above the knee portion 31, while the lower legportion 32 is below the knee portion 31 and above the foot portion 33.Each of these portions of the leg pad 12 _(x) comprises a frontal part,a medial part, and a lateral part such that the leg pad 12 _(x)comprises a frontal portion 26, a medial portion 27, and a lateralportion 28 respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front22, a medial side 24, and a lateral side 25 of the goalkeeper’s leg 16_(x) when the leg pad 12 _(x) is worn on the leg 16 _(x). The frontalportion 26 comprises a front 34 of the leg pad 12 _(x), the medialportion 27 comprises a medial side 35 of the leg pad 12 _(x), and thelateral portion 28 comprises a lateral side 36 of the leg pad 12 _(x).In this embodiment, the knee portion 31 comprises a knee wing 39 and thelower leg portion 32 comprises a calf wing 59.

The leg pad 12 _(x) can be secured to the goalkeeper’s leg 16 _(x) inany suitable way. For example, in this embodiment, the leg pad 12 _(x)comprises straps 50 ₁-50 _(S) to secure the leg pad 12 _(x) to thegoalkeeper’s leg 16 _(x).

With additional reference to FIGS. 6, 7A to 7C and 8 , in thisembodiment, the leg pad 12 _(x) comprises an outer cover 42, an innercover 44, and a core 13 comprising protective padding 40 that isdisposed between the outer cover 42 and the inner cover 44.

The outer cover 42 comprises an outer surface 51 of the leg pad 12 _(x)that faces away from the goalkeeper’s leg 16 _(x). In this embodiment,the outer cover 42 comprises an upper leg portion 52, a knee portion 53,a lower leg portion 54, and a foot portion 55 which constituterespective parts of the upper leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, thelower leg portion 32, and the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 12 _(x).Each of these portions of the outer cover 42 comprises a frontal part, amedial part, and a lateral part such that the outer cover 42 comprises afrontal portion 56, a medial portion 57, and a lateral portion 58 whichconstitute respective parts of the frontal portion 26, the medialportion 27, and the lateral portion 28 of the leg pad 12 _(x).

The outer cover 42 is a printed outer cover. That is, the outer cover 42comprises a printed image 60 (i.e., an image created by a printingprocess). The printed image 60 can be any desired image. For example, invarious embodiments, the printed image 60 may include a graphicalrepresentation of: one or more alphanumeric characters that may formtext (e.g., a word, a message, etc.); one or more symbols (e.g., a logo,a sign, an emblem, etc.); one or more shapes or patterns; and/or one ormore real or imaginary objects (e.g., a person, an animal, a vehicle, aweapon, a work of art, a food item, an imaginary or fictional character,or any other real or imaginary thing). This may allow the externaldesign of the leg pad 12 _(x) to be elaborate and/or possibly customizedor personalized for the goalkeeper.

In this example of implementation, the printed image 60 includes: acolored pattern 61 having a generally triangular configuration withareas 62, 63 of different colors on the frontal portion 56 of the outercover 42; a word 64 (i.e., “BAUER”) on the frontal portion 56 of theouter cover 42; another colored pattern 65 including areas 66, 67 ofdifferent colors in each of the medial portion 57 and the lateralportion 58 of the outer cover 42; and a generally triangular coloredshape 68 in the foot portion 55 of the outer cover 42. The printed image60 can be any other desired image in other examples of implementation.

The printed image 60 can occupy all or a significant part of the outersurface 51 of the leg pad 12 _(x). For example, in some embodiments, aprint area 49 of the printed image 60 (i.e., an area which has beenprinted) may occupy at least 10% of a surface area of the front 34 ofthe leg pad 12 _(x), in some cases at least 20% of the surface area ofthe front 34 of the leg pad 12 _(x), in some cases at least 30% of thesurface area of the front 34 of the leg pad 12 _(x), in some cases atleast 40% of the surface area of the front 34 of the leg pad 12 _(x), insome cases at least 50% of the surface area of the front 34 of the legpad 12 _(x), and in some cases even more (e.g., up to substantially anentirety of the surface area of the front 34 of the leg pad 12 _(x)). Asanother example, in some embodiments, the print area 49 of the printedimage 60 may span at least one-fifth of a length L of the leg pad 12_(x), in some cases at least one-quarter of the length L of the leg pad12 _(x), in some cases at least one-third of the length L of the leg pad12 _(x), in some cases at least one-half of the length L of the leg pad12 _(x), and in some cases even more (e.g., up to substantially anentirety of the length L of the leg pad 12 _(x)), and/or may span atleast one-fifth of a width W of the leg pad 12 _(x), in some cases atleast one-quarter of the width W of the leg pad 12 _(x), in some casesat least one-third of the width W of the leg pad 12 _(x), in some casesat least one-half of the width W of the leg pad 12 _(x), and in somecases even more (e.g., up to substantially an entirety of the width W ofthe leg pad 12 _(x)). The print area 49 of the printed image 60 mayoccupy any other desired part of the outer surface 51 of the leg pad 12_(x) in other embodiments.

In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 9 , the outercover 42 comprises a base 64 and a covering 47 that is disposed on thebase 64 and includes the printed image 60.

More particularly, in this embodiment, the base 64 comprises moldedmaterial 70 formed during a molding process such that a shape of theouter cover 42 is a molded shape imparted during the molding process.The molded material 70 constitutes at least a majority (i.e., a majorityor an entirety) of the outer cover 42. The upper leg portion 52, theknee portion 53, the lower leg portion 54, and the foot portion 55 ofthe outer cover 42 comprise respective parts of the molded material 70which have been shaped by the molding process. For instance, in someexamples of implementation, the base 64 of the outer cover 42, includingits molded material 70, may be implemented as described in U.S. Pat.Application 14/212,518 filed on Mar. 14, 2014 and hereby incorporated byreference herein.

The molded shape of the outer cover 42 may have any suitableconfiguration. In this embodiment, the outer cover 42 has a molded bentconfiguration such that it bends in a longitudinal direction of the legpad 12 _(x). More particularly, in this embodiment, the outer cover 42includes a bend 91 in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad 12 _(x)between the upper leg portion 52 and the lower leg portion 54 adjacentto the knee portion 53, and a bend 92 in the longitudinal direction ofthe leg pad 12 _(x) between the lower leg portion 53 and the footportion 55. In this example, the bend 91 is a curved part which definesa curvature of the outer cover 42, while the bend 92 is an angular partwhich defines an oblique angle. Also, in this embodiment, the moldedbent configuration of the outer cover 42 is such that the outer cover 42bends in a widthwise direction of the leg pad 12 _(x). Moreparticularly, in this embodiment, the outer cover 42 includes a bend 93in the widthwise direction of the leg pad 12 _(x) between the frontalportion 56 and the medial portion 57 of the outer cover 42, and a bend94 in the widthwise direction of the leg pad 12 _(x) between the frontalportion 56 and the lateral portion 58 of the outer cover 42. The moldedbent configuration of the outer cover 42 may be arranged in any othersuitable way in other embodiments (e.g., include any number of bends,curved or angular, disposed in any suitable manner).

In this embodiment, the molded material 70 of the outer cover 42comprises molded foam. This provides shock absorbability to the outercover 42 which may help in protecting the goalkeeper’s leg 16 _(x). Moreparticularly, in this embodiment, the molded foam 70 is ethylene vinylacetate (EVA) foam. Any other suitable foam may be used in otherembodiments (e.g., polyethylene foam (e.g., low-density polyethylenefoam), polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, etc.). In some examples ofimplementation, the molded foam of the molded material 70 may include asingle type of foam. In other examples of implementation, the moldedfoam of the molded material 70 may include two or more different typesof foam, such as foams having different densities and/or differentmaterial compositions (e.g., an outer layer of foam that is denser thanan inner layer of foam; a layer of EVA foam and another layer ofpolyurethane foam; etc.).

The molded material 70 may comprise any suitable material other thanfoam in other embodiments (e.g., polymeric material such asthermoplastic polyurethane or any other elastomeric material, a gel,etc.).

The molding process of the outer cover 42 may employ any suitablemolding method. In this embodiment, the molding process is compressionmolding. An amount of material which is to become the molded material 70of the outer cover 42 is introduced into a mold that is initially openand then shaped by heat and by pressure created as the mold is closedand the material is forced into contact with mold areas. A deflashing(i.e., flash removal) operation may be performed to remove any excessmaterial from the molding operation. The molded material 70 of the outercover 42 may be formed using any other suitable molding method in otherembodiments (e.g., injection molding, thermoforming, etc.).

The covering 47 is affixed to the base 64, includes the printed image60, and constitutes at least a majority of the outer surface 51 of theleg pad 12 _(x). In that sense, the covering 47 may be viewed as a“skin” of the outer cover 42. In this example of implementation, thecovering 47 constitutes substantially an entirety of the outer surface51 of the leg pad 12 _(X).

In this embodiment, the covering 47 is bonded to the molded material 70of the base 64. The covering 47 is applied on the molded material 70after molding of the molded material 70 into the shape of the outercover 42 and is significantly thinner than the molded material 70. Moreparticularly, in this embodiment, the covering 47 is adhesively bondedto the molded material 70. In some cases, the covering 47 may include anadhesive backing that can be adhesively bonded to the molded material70. In other cases, an adhesive may be applied between the moldedmaterial 70 and a backside of the covering 47 when the covering 47 isbeing applied to the molded material 70. In other embodiments, thecovering 47 may be chemically bonded to the molded material 70, insteadof being adhesively bonded.

With additional reference to FIG. 10 , in this embodiment, the covering47 comprises a printed layer 72 and a transparent protective layer 74over the printed layer 72.

The printed layer 72 includes synthetic material 75 on which the printedimage 60 has been printed. The synthetic material 75 may thus initiallybe of a base color (e.g., white) on which one or more coloringsubstances (e.g., one or more toners, inks or other substances includingpigments) are applied during the printing process to create the printedimage 60. The synthetic material 75 may be provided as one or moresheets on which the printing process is carried out. In this embodiment,the synthetic material 75 is polymeric material. More particularly, inthis embodiment, the polymeric material 75 includes polyurethane (PU).In various cases, the PU may be provided as a single PU layer ormultiple PU layers, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and/or in anyother suitable form. In this example of implementation, the polymericmaterial 75 includes a layer of PU on a layer of microfiber. Forinstance, the layer of PU may be thinner than the layer of microfiber(e.g., the layer of PU may have a thickness of 0.2 mm, while the layerof microfiber may have a thickness of 1.1 mm). The polymeric material 75may include any other suitable polymer in other embodiments (e.g.,nylon, polyester, vinyl, etc.). In some cases, the polymeric material 75may be a polymer-matrix composite material (e.g., in which fibers areembedded in a polymer matrix, such as a CURV™ composite material). Thesynthetic material 75 may be implemented in any other suitable way inother embodiments.

The transparent protective layer 74 overlies the printed layer 72 andallows the printed image 60 to be viewed while protecting the printedlayer 72. In this embodiment, the transparent protective layer 74includes one or more films of transparent polymeric material 78 disposedonto the polymeric material 75 of the printed layer 72. Moreparticularly, in this embodiment, the polymeric material 78 includespolyurethane (PU). For instance, in some examples of implementation, thepolymeric material 78 may be a layer of PU Unico Frost P259 having athickness of 0.2 mm. The polymeric material 78 may include any othersuitable polymer in other embodiments. Also, in other embodiments, thetransparent protective layer 74 may include a coating applied to theprinted layer 72 in fluid form.

In this embodiment, the transparent protective layer 74 is thinner thanthe printed layer 72. For example, in some embodiments, a ratioT_(i)/T_(p) of a thickness T_(i) of the printed layer 72 over athickness T_(p) of the transparent protective layer 74 may be at least1.2, in some cases at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, in some casesat least 3, in some cases at least 4, in some cases at least 5, and insome cases even more (e.g., 6 or more). For instance, in thisembodiment, the thickness T_(i) of the printed layer 72 may be betweenabout 0.7 mm and about 1.1 mm and the thickness T_(p) of the transparentprotective layer 74 may be about 0.2 mm.

The transparent protective layer 74 may be bonded to the printed layer72 in any suitable way. In this embodiment, the transparent protectivelayer 74 is bonded to the printed layer 72 by being laminated onto theprinted layer 72. For instance, a chemical bond may be created (e.g., bya laminating roller apparatus) when laminating the transparentprotective layer 74 onto the printed layer 72.

The covering 47 may be textured (e.g., to provide it with a more“natural” look akin to natural leather). For example, with reference toFIG. 11 , in this embodiment, a texture of the covering 47 includes anetwork of shallow recesses 80 ₁-80 _(R) intersecting one another tomimic natural leather. More particularly, in this embodiment, theshallow recesses 80 ₁-80 _(R) are formed in the transparent protectivelayer 74. For instance, the transparent protective layer 74 may beimprinted (e.g., by a roller format release paper) to create the shallowrecesses 80 ₁-80 _(R) providing texture.

In this embodiment, with reference to FIG. 12 , the covering 47,including the printed image 60, comprises a plurality of separatecovering pieces 71 ₁-71 _(C) which include respective portions 96 ₁-96_(I) of the printed image 60 and which are assembled together andaffixed on the base 64 to collectively visually compose the printedimage 60. More specifically, in this embodiment, the covering 47comprises a main frontal piece 71 ₁, a frontal edge piece 71 ₂, alateral piece 71 ₃, a medial piece 71 ₄, a main foot piece 71 ₅ and afoot edge piece 71 _(C). The main frontal piece 71 ₁ includes a firstportion 96 ₁ of the printed image 60; the lateral frontal piece 71 ₂includes a second portion 96 ₂ of the printed image 60; the lateralpiece includes a third portion 96 ₃ of the printed image 60; and themain foot portion 71 ₄ includes a fourth portion 96 _(I) of the printedimage 60. The covering pieces 71 ₁-71 _(C) may include any other numberof pieces in other embodiments and/or may include a different number ofportions of the printed image 60.

Each of the covering pieces 71 ₁-71 _(C) is configured to form arespective part of the outer surface 51 of the leg pad 12 _(x). Forinstance, the main frontal piece 71 ₁ is configured to form a majorityof that part of the outer surface 51 of the leg pad 12 _(x) in thefrontal portion 56 of the outer cover 42; the frontal edge piece 71 ₂ isconfigured to form that part of the outer surface 51 of the leg pad 12_(x) in an edge region of the frontal portion 56 closest to the lateralportion 58 of the outer cover 42; the lateral piece 71 ₃ is configuredto form that part of the outer surface 51 of the leg pad 12 _(x) in thelateral portion 58 of the outer cover 42; the medial piece 71 ₄ isconfigured to form that part of the outer surface 51 of the leg pad 12_(x) in the medial portion 57 of the outer cover 42; the main foot piece71 ₅ is configured to form a majority of that part of the outer surface51 of the leg pad 12 _(x) in the foot portion 55 of the outer cover 42;and the foot edge piece 71 _(C) is configured to form that part of theouter surface 51 of the leg pad 12 _(x) in an edge region of the footportion 55 closest to the lateral portion 58 of the outer cover 42.

In other embodiments, the covering 47, including the printed image 60,may be a one-piece covering (i.e., constituted by a single piece) whichcomprises an entirety of the printed image 60.

The printed image 60 can be provided on the outer cover 42 using anysuitable printing technique.

In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 , theprinted image 60 is a digitally-printed image that is digitally printedon the polymeric material 75 of the covering 47 by a digital printer 90.The digital printer 90 is connected to a computing apparatus 130comprising an image data provision entity 120. Digital printing mayallow the printed image 60 to have a high degree of elaborateness and/orresolution, notably in view of high dots per inch (DPI) characteristicsthat the digital printer 90 may have.

At step 1100, the image data provision entity 120 is configured togenerate image data 110 representative of the printed image 60 to becreated. For instance, in some embodiments, the image data provisionentity 120 may comprise one or more digital imaging devices and/or oneor more computer applications (e.g., imaging applications to createand/or edit images) that can be used to generate the image data 110. Forexample, a user may use an imaging application (e.g., AdobeIllustrator®) to create an original digital image, from which the imagedata 110 is generated. As another example, a scanner may be used to scana picture or other physical image or a digital camera may be used totake a digital picture, from which the image data 110 is generated. Asyet another example, a user may use both a digital imaging device and animaging application to generate the image data 110.

At step 1200, the image data provision entity 120 is configured totransmit the image data 110 to the digital printer 90 over acommunication link 140. The communication link 140 may be implemented bya dedicated connection (e.g., a cable) between the computing apparatus130 and the digital printer 90 and/or by one or more of a data network(e.g., the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network(LAN)), a public telephony network (e.g., the Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN)), and/or a wireless network (e.g., a cellular network).Thus, the digital printer 90 and the computing apparatus 130 may residein a common physical location or in remote physical locations in variousembodiments.

At step 1300, the digital printer 90 is configured to receive andprocess the image data 110 in order to print the printed image 60 ontothe polymeric material 75 of the covering 47. Any suitable printingprocess may be implemented by the digital printer 90.

For example, in some embodiments, the digital printer 90 may be aninkjet printer (e.g., a large-format inkjet printer) implementing aninkjet printing process. In this case, the digital printer 90 comprisesa plurality of inks having a range of colors. The digital printer 90propels droplets of ink onto the polymeric material 75 of the covering47 in a manner conveyed by the image data 110 after the latter has beenprocessed by the digital printer 90. In other words, the digital printer90 chooses which inks, i.e., pigments, to use and where to apply thembased on the received image data 110.

As another example, in some embodiments, the digital printer 90 may be asublimation printer implementing a sublimation printing process. In thiscase, the digital printer 90 comprises a plurality of subliminal dyeshaving a range of colors. The subliminal dyes are stored in a solidstate and are heated by the digital printer 90 to a certain temperature(e.g., approximately 200° C.) at which point the subliminal dyes acquiretheir gaseous state through a sublimation phase transition. The digitalprinter 90 then applies the subliminal dyes to the polymeric material 75of the covering 47 in a manner conveyed by the image data 110 after thelatter has been processed by the digital printer 90. In other words, thedigital printer 90 chooses which subliminal dyes, i.e., pigments, to useand where to apply them based on the received image data 110. In thisexample, in order to implement the sublimation printing process, thepolymeric material 75 of the covering 47 is originally of a pale shadeor white since the subliminal dyes are translucent and thus transmitlight. Upon application, the molecules of the subliminal dyes bind withthe molecules of the polymeric material 75 and penetrate its surface,thus creating the printed image 60 onto the covering 47.

The digital printer 90 may employ any other suitable printing technologyin other embodiments.

In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 15 , the digitalprinter 90 prints two or more of the image portions 96 ₁-96 _(I) of thecovering pieces 71 ₁-71 _(C) onto a common sheet 95, i.e. a template.More specifically, in this case, the digital printer 90 prints all ofthe image portions 96 ₁-96 _(I) onto the common sheet 95. In otherwords, the common sheet 95 accommodates all of the image portions 96₁-96 _(I) necessary to produce the totality of the printed image 60. Inthis case, the common sheet 95 accommodates two sets of image portions96 ₁-96 _(I) required to produce both of the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂. Insome embodiments, the common sheet 95 may accommodate even more imageportions to produce more than the pair of leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂. Moreover,the image portions 96 ₁-96 _(I) may be accommodated on the common sheet95 in such a way as to optimally use the space available on the commonsheet 95, i.e. to fit as many image portions 96 ₁-96 _(I) as possible onthe common sheet 95. This can minimize an amount of material of thecommon sheet 95 that is wasted after the printing process.

In this embodiment, once the printed image 60 is created on thepolymeric material 75 of the covering 47, the transparent protectivelayer 74 is laminated onto the printed layer 72.

The common sheet 95, on which the image portions 96 ₁-96 _(I) of theprinted image 60 have been printed, is then cut into separate piecesresulting in the covering pieces 71 ₁-71 c of the covering 47 describedabove. Each of the covering pieces 71 ₁-71 c thus includes thetransparent protective layer 74 that was laminated onto the printedlayer 72.

The covering 47, including the printed image 60, is affixed to the base64 to provide the outer cover 42. More particularly, in this embodiment,as discussed above, the covering 47 is adhesively bonded to the base 64.In this example, the separate covering pieces 71 ₁-71 _(C) which includethe respective portions 96 ₁-96 _(I) of the printed image 60 areassembled together and adhesively bonded to the base 64.

The protective padding 40 provides padded protection to the goalkeeper’sleg 16 _(x). With additional reference to FIG. 16 , in this embodiment,the protective padding 40 comprises an upper leg padding portion 48 ₁, aknee padding portion 48 ₂, a lower leg padding portion 48 ₃ and a footpadding portion 48 ₄ constituting respective parts of the upper legportion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and the footportion 33 of the leg pad 12 _(x). In this example, respective ones ofthe padding portions 48 ₁-48 _(P) are part of a common continuous padthat extends from the upper leg portion 30 to the foot portion 33 of theleg pad 12 _(x).

In this embodiment, the protective padding 40 comprises a plurality ofpadding materials 89 ₁-89 ₃ that are different from one another. In thisexample, the padding materials 89 ₁-89 ₃ are different types of foam,such as polyurethane foam, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam,polypropylene (PP) foam, polyethylene (PE) foam), vinyl nitrile (VN)foam, or any other suitable foam. More particularly, in this example,the padding material 89 ₁ is a type of polyethylene foam (e.g.,high-density polyethylene foam), the padding material 89 ₂ is adifferent type of polyethylene foam (e.g., low-density polyethylenefoam), and the padding material 89 ₃ is a polyurethane foam (e.g., PoronXRD™). In other embodiments, one or more of the padding materials 89₁-89 ₃ may be material other than foam, such as a gel or any othersuitable shock-absorbing material.

More particularly, in this embodiment, the padding material 89 ₁ formsan outer layer 38 of the protective padding 40 and is stiffer (e.g.,denser) than the padding material 89 ₂ which forms an inner layer 41 ofthe protective padding 40. This may impart rigidity to the protectivepadding 40 or enhance an impact resistance and/or a shock absorbance ofthe protective padding 40.

Also, in this embodiment, the padding material 89 ₃ is disposed inspecific limited areas 37 ₁-37 ₃ of the protective padding 40 relativeto the padding material 89 ₁ to control a rebound effect at these areaswhen a puck hits these areas. For example, the goalkeeper may prefer along rebound or a short rebound when a puck hits a particular area andthe padding material 89 ₃ may be distributed to customize a puck reboundprofile of the leg pad 12 _(x) according to the goalkeeper’s preference.For a given puck impact speed, the rebound effect is thus different inthe areas 37 ₁-37 ₃ of the protective padding 40 than in other areas 46₁-46 ₄ of the protective padding 40 outside these areas 37 ₁-37 ₃.

A shape of the protective padding 40 generally conforms to the outercover 42. In this embodiment, the protective padding 40 has a bentconfiguration such that it bends in a longitudinal direction of the legpad 12 _(x) to generally conform to the molded bent configuration of theouter cover 42. More particularly, in this embodiment, the protectivepadding includes a bend 29 in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad12 _(x) between the upper leg padding portion 48 ₁ and the lower legpadding portion 48 ₃ and a bend 43 in the longitudinal direction of theleg pad 12 _(x) between the lower leg padding portion 48 ₃ and the footpadding portion 48 ₄. In this example, the bend 29 is a curved partwhich defines a curvature of the protective padding 40, while the bend43 is an angular part which defines an oblique angle. The bentconfiguration of the protective padding 40 may be arranged in any othersuitable way in other embodiments (e.g., include any number of bends,curved or angular, disposed in any suitable manner).

The protective padding 40 may be manufactured in any suitable way. Inthis embodiment, the outer layer 38 of the protective padding 40, whichis made of the padding material 89 ₁, is molded or machined, while theinner layer 41 of the protective padding 40, which is made of thepadding material 89 ₂, is machined. Also, in this embodiment, thepadding materials 89 ₁-89 ₃ are adhesively bonded. Any suitable adhesivemay be used (e.g., Contact Cement™, Spray Glue, etc.). The paddingmaterials 89 ₁-89 ₃ may be retained together in any other suitable wayin other embodiments (e.g., by being overmolded). The protective padding40 may be made using any other suitable manufacturing methods in otherembodiments.

The protective padding 40 may be implemented in various other ways inother embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the padding 40 maybe made of a single shock-absorbing material (e.g., a single foam). Asanother example, in other embodiments, different ones of the paddingportions 48 ₁-48 ₄ may be part of distinct pads separate from oneanother. For instance, in some embodiments, the foot padding portion 48₄ may be separate from the lower leg padding portion 48 ₃. That is, thefoot padding portion 48 ₄ and the lower leg padding portion 48 ₃ may bedistinct pads that are separate from one another and assembled duringmanufacturing of the leg pad 12 _(x). For example, each of the footpadding portion 48 ₄ and the lower leg padding portion 48 ₃ may be a padmolded, machined, or otherwise formed individually as a distinct piece.As shown in FIG. 17 , in some cases, a link 97 may be affixed to thefoot padding portion 48 ₄ and the lower leg padding portion 48 ₃ tointerconnect the foot padding portion 48 ₄ and the lower leg paddingportion 48 ₃. For example, the link may comprise a band stitched,adhesively bonded, or otherwise affixed to the foot padding portion 48 ₄and the lower leg padding portion 48 ₃. In other cases, there may be nolink between the foot padding portion 48 ₄ and the lower leg paddingportion 48 ₃, which may be retained purely by their placement betweenthe outer cover 42 and the inner cover 44.

With additional reference to FIG. 18 , the inner cover 44 comprises aninner surface 45 of the leg pad 12 _(x) that faces the goalkeeper’s leg16 _(x). The inner cover 44 may comprise any suitable material. Forexample, in this embodiment, the inner cover 44 comprises fabric 76. Forinstance, in some examples of implementation, the fabric of the innercover 44 may comprise a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, syntheticmicrofibers, a synthetic woven knit, a polyurethane laminate, a mesh, orany other suitable fabric. The inner cover 44 may be implemented invarious other ways in other embodiments.

The leg pad 12 _(x) is assembled by placing the protective padding 40between the outer cover 42 and the inner cover 44 and securing themtogether. To that end, in this embodiment, the outer cover 42 isfastened to at least one, in this case both, of the inner cover 44 andthe protective padding 40. More particularly, with reference to FIGS. 18and 19 , in this embodiment, a fastener 69 interacts with the outercover 42 and the inner cover 44 to secure the inner cover 44, theprotective padding 40, and the outer cover 42 together. In this example,the fastener 69 is a series of stitches that stitch together the innercover 44 and the outer cover 42. The fastener 69 may be any othersuitable fastener in other examples (e.g., an adhesive, a series ofstaples, etc.). In this case, the outer cover 42 is secured to the innercover 44 through a binding 73 that extends along at least part (e.g., amajority or an entirety) of a periphery of the outer cover 42 and atleast part (e.g., a majority or an entirety) of a periphery of the innercover 44. The fastener 69, in this case stitches, extends through thebinding 73 and fastens the outer cover 42 and the inner cover 44together, with the protective padding 40 in between. In addition tobeing retained between the outer cover 42 and the inner cover 44, inthis embodiment, the protective padding 40 is also laced to the coverliner 40 via laces 15 ₁-15 _(L).

The leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ may be constructed in various other ways inother embodiments.

For example, in other embodiments, the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ may have anyother suitable shape and/or be made of any other suitable material.

In some embodiments, the base 64 of the outer cover 42 may not comprisemolded material (such as the molded material 70). For instance, the base64 may comprise one or more panels of synthetic pliable material such assynthetic leather (e.g., polyurethane (PU) leather) or fabric (e.g.,nylon fabric, polyester fabric, Cordura™ fabric, etc.) which have notbeen molded into the shape of the outer cover 42 but rather manuallybent or otherwise formed when assembling the leg pad 12 _(x) (e.g.,fastening the outer cover 42 to the protective padding 40 and/or theinner cover 44) and on which the covering 47 may be affixed (e.g.,bonded or stitched)

In some embodiments, the outer cover 42 may not comprise any base suchas the base 64 but may rather be constituted only by the covering 47.

In some embodiments, the printed image 60 of the outer cover 42 mayfacilitate personalization or customization of the leg pad 12 _(x). Forexample, a desired design for the outer surface of the leg pad 12 _(x)may be determined by the goalkeeper or another person (e.g., anequipment manager, a parent, etc.), and the printed image 60 can beproduced in accordance with the desired design. For instance, in someembodiments, the goalkeeper or another person may convey a request forthe outer cover 42 to have the desired design to a provider of the outercover 42 (e.g., a manufacturer of the leg pad 12 _(x), a distributor ofthe leg pad 12 _(x), a retailer where the leg pad 12 _(x) ispurchasable, etc.). This request may be conveyed in any suitable manner,including in person or via a communication link that may be implementedby one or more of a data network (e.g., the Internet), a publictelephony network (e.g., the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)),and/or a wireless network (e.g., a cellular network), such as bytelephone or by using a computer system (e.g., an online processimplemented over the Internet).

Based on this request, the provider of the outer cover 42 causes thecovering 47, including the printed image 60, to be made. For instance,in some examples of implementation, the provider of the outer cover 42may interact with the image data provision entity 120 of the computingapparatus 130 to generate the image data 110 such that the printed image60 reflects the desired design conveyed by the request. In otherexamples of implementation, the computing apparatus 130 may execute anautomated process (e.g., an online process implemented over theInternet) such that the image data provision entity 120 automaticallygenerates the image data 110 based on the request and proceeds totransmit the image data 110 to the digital printer 90 for printing theprinted image 60 in accordance with the desired design conveyed by therequest.

In other embodiments, other components of the leg pad 12 _(x) may beconstructed using principles described above in respect of the outercover 42. For instance, in some embodiments, the inner cover 44 mayinclude a printed image such as the printed image 60 in order todecorate the inner surface 45 of the leg pad 12 _(x).

Although in embodiments considered above the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ aredesigned for playing ice hockey, in other embodiments, leg padsconstructed using principles described herein in respect of the leg pads12 ₁, 12 ₂ can be hockey goalkeeper leg pads for playing roller hockeyor another type of hockey (e.g., field or street hockey) on a dryplaying surface (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, wooden, or turf playingsurface or any other dry playing surface on which roller hockey or fieldor street hockey is played).

While in this embodiment the protective athletic equipment 10 comprisesthe leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂, in other embodiments, other articles ofprotective athletic equipment may be constructed using principlesdescribed herein in respect of the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ to include aprinted image such as the printed image 60.

For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20 , a protectiveglove 212 may be constructed using principles described herein inrespect of the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂. In this embodiment, the protectiveglove 212 is a catching glove, commonly referred to as a “catcher”, forprotecting a hand of a hockey goalkeeper and configured to catch a puckor ball while playing hockey. The catcher 212 includes a palm side 220and a dorsal side 222, and comprises a hand-receiving cavity 214 toreceive the goalkeeper’s hand, a cuff portion 216 for overlying a wristand/or forearm of the goalkeeper, and a catching portion 218 to catchthe puck or ball. The catching portion 218 includes netting 224.

With additional reference to FIG. 21 , in this embodiment, the catcher212 comprises an outer cover 242, an inner cover 244, and protectivepadding 240 disposed between the outer cover 242 and the inner cover244. The outer cover 242 is a printed outer cover, i.e., comprises aprinted image 260 on its outer surface 251. More specifically, the outercover 242 includes a covering constructed in a similar manner to thecovering 47 of the leg pad 12 _(x) described above. The coveringcomprises a printed layer and a transparent protective layer over theprinted layer. The printed layer includes the printed image 260 which isprinted on synthetic material of the printed layer in a similar mannerto that described above.

In this example, with additional reference to FIG. 22 which shows atemplate of the printed layer of the outer cover 242, the printed image260 includes a graphical representation of a scorpion 270, a word 276(“Mission”), a background made of an array of logos 278 ₁-278 _(L)(i.e., stylized “M”s), and a larger version of the logo 280. In thisembodiment, the covering includes a single covering piece extending onthe frontal side of the catcher 212. Moreover, a print area of theprinted image 260 occupies an entirety of the frontal side 220 of thecatcher 212. In some case, the dorsal side 222 of the catcher 212 maysimilarly comprise a covering including a printed image.

As another example, in some embodiments, with additional reference toFIGS. 23 to 25 , a different type of protective glove 312 may beconstructed using principles described herein in respect of the leg pads12 ₁, 12 ₂. In this embodiment, the protective glove 312 is a blockingglove for a hockey goalkeeper, commonly referred to as a “blocker”, andis configured to block a puck or ball. The blocker 312 comprises ahand-receiving portion 314 to receive the goalkeeper’s hand, a cuffportion 313 for overlying the goalkeeper’s wrist and/or forearm,protective elements 315 ₁-315 ₅ (e.g., panels) to protect thegoalkeeper’s fingers, and a blocking portion 316 to block the puck orball. The blocking portion 316 comprises a dorsal section 318, a medialsection 319 and a frontal section 320 which form respective parts of anouter surface 322 of the blocking portion 316. The dorsal section 318 islocated on a dorsal side 323 of the blocker 312 and is the section ofthe blocking portion 316 that is primarily used for blocking the puck orball. The medial and frontal sections 319, 320 are located on medial andfrontal sides 324, 325 of the blocker 312 respectively and are primarilyused to protect the hand-receiving portion 314 against impacts.

With additional reference to FIG. 26 , in this embodiment, the blockingportion 316 of the blocker 312 comprises an outer cover 342, an innercover 344, and protective padding 340 disposed between the outer cover342 and the inner cover 344. The medial and frontal sections 319, 320 ofthe blocking portion 316 may comprise a thinner section of theprotective padding 340 since they are not principally used to block thepuck or ball. The outer cover 342 is a printed outer cover, i.e.,comprises a printed image 360. More specifically, the outer cover 342includes a covering constructed in a similar manner to the covering 47of the leg pad 12 _(x) described above. The covering comprises a printedlayer and a transparent protective layer over the printed layer. Theprinted layer includes the printed image 360 which is printed onsynthetic material of the printed layer in a similar manner to thatdescribed above.

In this embodiment, the printed image 360 includes a graphicalrepresentation of the Grim Reaper 362, its scythe 364, protective gloves366, 368, a logo 370 (i.e., a stylized “M′), a word 274 (i.e.,“Mission”) a background made of an array of logos 380 ₁-380 _(L) (i.e.,stylized “M”s), and a model name 382 (e.g., “DS1”) of the blocker 312.In this example of implementation, a print area of the printed image 360occupies an entirety of the dorsal, medial and frontal sides of theblocking portion 316.

As yet another example, in other embodiments, various other articles ofprotective athletic equipment such as shoulder pads, chest protectors,arm pads (e.g., elbow pads), shin guards, and protective gloves forhockey goalkeepers and other hockey players (i.e., forwards anddefensemen) may be constructed using principles described herein inrespect of the leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ to include a printed image such asthe printed image 60.

In some embodiments, the printed image of a given article of theprotective athletic equipment 10 may be visually combinable with theprinted image of an adjacent article of the protective athleticequipment 10 such that these printed images form a visual continuationof one another. For example, FIG. 27 shows an example of an embodimentin which in which the printed image 60 of the leg pad 12 ₁ and theprinted image 60 of the leg pad 12 ₂ form a visual combination of oneanother. The printed image 60 of the leg pad 12 ₁ includes a graphicalrepresentation of a head and torso of the Grim Reaper 410, part of itsscythe 412, a first protective glove 414, part of a second protectiveglove 418, part of a logo 416 (i.e., a stylized “M′), while the printedimage 60 of the leg pad 12 ₂ includes a graphical representation of anarm the Grim Reaper 424, another part of its scythe 420, another part ofthe second protective glove 422, and another part of the logo 426. Whenthe leg pads 12 ₁, 12 ₂ are positioned adjacent to one another, theprinted image 60 of the leg pad 12 ₁ and the printed image 60 of the legpad 12 ₂ form a visual continuation of one another.

In some embodiments, an outer cover of an article of protective athleticequipment comprising a printed image as described above may also includeone or more graphical elements that are provided separately from theprinted image and visually integrated with the printed image. Forexample, FIGS. 28 and 29 show a variant of the blocker 312 whichcomprises a graphical element 379 that forms the head of the Grim Reaperso as to be visually integrated with the printed image 360. In thisembodiment, the graphical element 379 is an overlay that is affixed(e.g., adhesively bonded) to the covering of the outer cover 342. Thegraphical element 379 is molded into shape and has a three-dimensionalconfiguration so as to protrude slightly from the outer surface 322 ofthe blocking portion 316 for effect. In this case, the graphical element379 is made of polyurethane. In other embodiments, the graphical element379 may made of any other suitable material and/or using any othersuitable process, and/or may be affixed relative to the printed image360 in any other suitable way.

Although in this embodiment the protective athletic equipment 10 ishockey gear, in other embodiments, the protective athletic equipment 10may be other athletic gear wearable a player playing another type ofcontact sport (e.g., a “full-contact” sport) in which there aresignificant impact forces on the player due to player-to-player and/orplayer-to-object contact. For example, in other embodiments, theprotective athletic equipment 10 may be lacrosse gear for a lacrosseplayer, football gear for a football player, or baseball gear for abaseball player.

While in embodiments considered above the protective athletic equipment10 is for a user playing a contact sport, in other embodiments, theprotective athletic equipment 10 may be used in athletic activitiesother than contact sports in which impact protection is desired.

In other embodiments, the athletic gear 10 comprising an outer coverthat includes a printed image as described above may be for purposesother than protection. For example, in some embodiments, with referenceto FIGS. 30 to 36 , the athletic gear 10 may comprise footwear 511wearable on a user’s foot. In this embodiment, the footwear 511 is askate wearable by the user for skating on a skating surface 514. Theskate 511 comprises a skate boot 522 for receiving a foot of the userand a skating device 524 below the skate boot 522 to contact the skatingsurface 514. More particularly, in this embodiment, the skating surface514 is ice, the skate 511 is an ice skate, and the skating device 524comprises a blade 526 for contacting the ice 514 and a blade holder 525between the skate boot 522 and the blade 526. Notably, in this example,the ice skate 511 is a hockey skate designed for playing ice hockey andthe user is a hockey player. In other examples, the ice skate 511 may bedesigned for other types of skating activities.

The skate boot 522 defines a cavity 528 for receiving the player’s foot.More particularly, in this embodiment, the skate boot 522 comprises anupper 530 that forms the cavity 528 and comprises an outer cover 542which is a printed outer cover, i.e., comprises a printed image 560 onits outer surface 551. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outercover 542 is constructed in a similar manner to the covering 47 of theleg pad 12 _(x) described above. Notably, in this example, the outercover 542 comprises a printed layer 572 and a transparent protectivelayer 574 over the printed layer 572. The printed layer 572 includes theprinted image 560 which is printed on synthetic material 575 (e.g.,polyurethane, nylon, polyester, vinyl, composite, etc.) of the printedlayer 572 in a similar manner to that described above.

More particularly, in this embodiment, the upper 530 comprises a shell532, a tongue 534, a tendon guard 536, and a toe cap 538. The skate boot522 also comprises an insole 540, an outsole 544, lace members 546 andeyelets 548 extending through (e.g., punched into) the lace members 546,the shell 532 and an inner liner vis-à-vis apertures 550 in order toreceive laces for tying on the skate 511. In some embodiments, the skateboot 522 may also comprise a rigid insert for providing more rigidityaround the ankle and the heel of the skater’s foot, and a footbed forenhancing a fit of the skate 511 on the skater’s foot.

The shell 532 imparts strength to the skate 511 to support the player’sfoot. More particularly, in this embodiment, the shell 532 comprises aheel portion 552 for receiving a heel of the player, an ankle portion554 for receiving an ankle of the player, and medial and lateral sideportions 556, 558 for facing medial and lateral sides of the player’sfoot, respectively. The medial and lateral side portions 556, 558include upper edges 562, 564 which connect to the lace members 546. Theheel portion 552 may be formed such that it is substantially cup-shapedfor following the contour of the heel of the player. The ankle portion554 comprises medial and lateral ankle sides 566, 568. The medial ankleside 566 has a medial depression 570 for receiving a medial malleolus ofthe player and the lateral ankle side 568 has a lateral depression 576for receiving a lateral malleolus of the player. The lateral depression576 is located slightly lower than the medial depression 570 forconforming to the morphology of the player’s foot.

In this embodiment, the shell 532 comprises the printed outer cover 542.The shell 532 also comprises a core 578 beneath the outer cover 542. Thecore 578 comprises a synthetic material 580 that makes up a substantialpart of the shell 532. In this embodiment, the synthetic material 580 isa polymeric material. For instance, in some examples of implementation,the polymeric material 580 may include a thermoplastic polymer. Forexample, in some embodiments, the polymeric material 580 may includepolyurethane, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, vinyl, or any othersuitable polymer. In some cases, the polymeric material 580 may be apolymer-matrix composite material (e.g., in which fibers are embedded ina polymer matrix). For instance, in some cases, the fibers may be carbonfibers, aramid fibers, or any other suitable fiber. In some cases, thepolymeric material 580 may be a foam. The synthetic material 580 of thecore 578 of the shell 532 may be implemented in any other suitable wayin other embodiments (e.g., other types of composite material).

In this embodiment, the polymeric material 580 of the shell 532constitutes at least part of the heel portion 552, the ankle portion554, and the medial and lateral side portions 556, 558 of the shell 532.In some examples, the polymeric material 580 of the shell 532 mayconstitute at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of theheel portion 552, the ankle portion 554, and the medial and lateral sideportions 556, 558 of the shell 532. In some embodiments, the polymericmaterial 580 of the shell 532 may constitute a given part of the shell532, while the shell 532 may comprise one or more other syntheticmaterials, different from the polymeric material 580, that constituteone or more other parts of the shell 532.

In this example of implementation, the polymeric material 580 of theshell 532 is molded material. That is, the polymeric material 580 of theshell 532 is formed by a molding process in a mold. A shape of thepolymeric material 580 of the shell 532 is thus a molded shape impartedduring the molding process. More particularly, in this example ofimplementation, the polymeric material 580 of the shell 532 isthermoformed material.

In this embodiment, the shell 532 also comprises an inner cover 582,which may also be referred to an “inner liner”. The polymeric material580 of the shell 532 is disposed between the outer cover 542 and theinner liner 582. The inner liner 582 is affixed to an inner surface ofthe polymeric material 580 of the shell 532 and comprises an innersurface 584 to contact with the heel and medial and lateral sides of theuser’s foot in use. In some cases, the inner liner 582 may be made of asoft material (e.g., a fabric made of nylon fibers or any other suitablefabric).

The printed outer cover 542 of the shell 532 may be provided in anysuitable way, such as that discussed above in relation to the printedouter cover 42 of the leg pad 12 _(X).

For example, in some embodiments, the printed outer cover 542 may becreated by digitally printing the printed image 560 on the syntheticmaterial 575 of the printed layer 572 in a similar manner to thatdescribed above. Once the printed image 560 is created on the syntheticmaterial 575, the transparent protective layer 574 may be laminated ontothe printed layer 572. A sheet including the printed layer 572 and thetransparent protective layer 574 may be cut into a desired shape tocover the shell 532.

In some embodiments, the sheet including the printed layer 572 and thetransparent protective layer 574 may be positioned in the mold in whichthe shell 532 is to be formed. The polymeric material 580 destined toform the shell 532 may then be provided (e.g., injected) into the mold,against the sheet including the printed layer 572 and the transparentprotective layer 574. The polymeric material 580 is then molded in themold, with the sheet including the printed layer 572 and the transparentprotective layer 574 being applied and bonded to an outer surface of theshell 532 as it is formed, thus forming the printed outer cover 562 ofthe shell 532. In some cases, the transparent protective layer 574 mayhelp to protect the printed image 560 against deterioration from heat inthe mold.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the sheet including the printedlayer 572 and the transparent protective layer 574 may be applied andaffixed (e.g., adhesively bonded) to the outer surface of the shell 532after the polymeric material 580 of the shell 532 has been molded in themold and the shell 532 has been removed from the mold.

While in this embodiment the printed outer cover 542 is part of theshell 532 of the upper 530 of the skate boot 522, in other embodiments,a printed cover such as the printed outer cover 542 may be part ofanother component of the skate 511. For example, in other embodiments, aprinted cover such as the printed outer cover 542 may be part of anothercomponent of the upper 530, such as the inner liner 582, the tongue 534,the tendon guard 536, or the toe cap 538. As another example, in otherembodiments, a printed cover such as the printed outer cover 542 may bepart of the blade holder 525 of the skate 511.

Although in embodiments considered above the skate 511 is designed forplaying ice hockey on the playing surface 514 which is ice, in otherembodiments, the skate 511 may be constructed using principles describedherein for playing roller hockey or another type of hockey (e.g., fieldor street hockey) on the playing surface 314 which is a dry playingsurface (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, wooden, or turf playing surface orany other dry playing surface on which roller hockey or field or streethockey is played). Thus, in other embodiments, instead of comprising theblade 526, the skating device 524 may comprise a set of wheels to rollon the dry playing surface 314.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 37 , the computing apparatus 130,including the image data provision entity 120, comprises suitablehardware and/or software configured to implement functionality of thecomputing apparatus 130. The computing apparatus 130 comprises aninterface 1520, a processing portion 1540, and a memory portion 1560.

The interface 1520 comprises one or more inputs and outputs allowing thecomputing apparatus 130 to receive signals from and send signals toother components to which the computing apparatus 130 is connected(i.e., directly or indirectly connected).

The processing portion 1540 comprises one or more processors forperforming processing operations that implement functionality of thecomputing apparatus 130. A processor of the processing portion 1540 maybe a general-purpose processor executing program code stored in thememory portion 1560. Alternatively, a processor of the processingportion 1540 may be a specific-purpose processor comprising one or morepreprogrammed hardware or firmware elements (e.g., application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), electrically erasable programmableread-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.) or other related elements.

The memory portion 1560 comprises one or more memories for storingprogram code executed by the processing portion 1540 and/or data usedduring operation of the processing portion 1540. A memory of the memoryportion 1560 may be a semiconductor medium (including, e.g., asolid-state memory), a magnetic storage medium, an optical storagemedium, and/or any other suitable type of memory. A memory of the memoryportion 1560 may be read-only memory (ROM) and/or random-access memory(RAM), for example.

The computing apparatus 130 may be implemented in various other ways inother embodiments.

In some embodiments, two or more elements of the computing apparatus 130may be implemented by devices that are physically distinct from oneanother (e.g., located in a common site or in remote sites) and may beconnected to one another via a bus (e.g., one or more electricalconductors or any other suitable bus) or via a communication link whichmay be wired, wireless, or both and which may traverse one or morenetworks (e.g., the Internet or any other computer network such as alocal-area network (LAN) or wide-area network (WAN), a cellular network,etc.). In other embodiments, two or more elements of the computingapparatus 130 may be implemented by a single device.

Any feature of any embodiment discussed herein may be combined with anyfeature of any other embodiment discussed herein in some examples ofimplementation.

Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certainembodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumedto be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art.Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or mayfunction without one or more elements that are not specificallydisclosed herein.

Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this wasfor the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Variousmodifications and enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art and are within the scope of the invention, which isdefined by the appended claims.

1-55. (canceled)
 56. A method for making an article of protectivehockey-goalkeeping equipment wearable by a hockey goalkeeper to protecta given one of a leg and a hand of the hockey goalkeeper, the article ofprotective hockey-goalkeeping equipment being one of: a goalkeeper legpad wearable on and configured to protect the leg of the hockeygoalkeeper; and a goalkeeper blocker or catcher wearable on andconfigured to protect the hand of the hockey goalkeeper, the article ofprotective hockey-goalkeeping equipment comprising: protective paddingconfigured to be wider than the given one of the leg and the hand of thehockey goalkeeper; and an outer cover including an outer surface of thearticle of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment, the methodcomprising: a) digitally printing on at least part of the outer coversuch that the outer cover comprises digitally-printed graphics; and b)placing the outer cover on the protective padding.
 57. The method ofclaim 56, wherein: the outer cover comprises a digitally-printed layerincluding the digitally-printed graphics; and the method comprisesapplying a transparent protective layer over the digitally-printed layerafter the digitally printing.
 58. The method of claim 57, wherein thetransparent protective layer is thinner than the digitally-printedlayer.
 59. The method of claim 57, wherein a thickness of thedigitally-printed layer is at least twice a thickness of the transparentprotective layer.
 60. The method of claim 56, wherein the outer covercomprises: a base; and a covering disposed on the base and including thedigitally-printed graphics.
 61. The method of claim 60, wherein thecovering is adhesively bonded to the base.
 62. The method of claim 60,wherein the covering is chemically bonded to the base.
 63. The method ofclaim 60, wherein the base comprises foam.
 64. The method of claim 60,wherein the base comprises molded material defining a shape of the outercover.
 65. The method of claim 64, wherein the molded material comprisesmolded foam.
 66. The method of claim 64, wherein the covering is bondedto the molded material after molding of the molded material.
 67. Themethod of claim 60, wherein the covering comprises a plurality ofseparate covering pieces which include respective portions of thedigitally-printed graphics and which are assembled together and affixedto the base.
 68. The method of claim 56, wherein the digitally-printedgraphics occupy at least a majority of a surface area of a front of thearticle of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment.
 69. The method ofclaim 56, wherein the digitally-printed graphics span at least amajority of a length of the article of protective hockey-goalkeepingequipment.
 70. The method of claim 56, wherein the digitally-printedgraphics span at least a majority of a width of the article ofprotective hockey-goalkeeping equipment.
 71. The method of claim 56,wherein the digitally-printed graphics extend from a first edge of thearticle of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment to a second edge ofthe article of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment that is oppositeto the first edge of the article of protective hockey-goalkeepingequipment in a widthwise direction of the article of protectivehockey-goalkeeping equipment.
 72. The method of claim 71, wherein: thearticle of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment is the goalkeeper legpad; the first edge of the article of protective hockey-goalkeepingequipment is a lateral edge of goalkeeper leg pad; the second edge ofthe article of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment is a medial edgeof goalkeeper leg pad; the goalkeeper leg pad comprises an edgeprojection at the lateral edge of the goalkeeper leg pad; and thedigitally-printed graphics extend from the edge projection at thelateral edge of the goalkeeper leg pad to the medial edge of thegoalkeeper leg pad.
 73. The method of claim 56, wherein: the article ofprotective hockey-goalkeeping equipment is the goalkeeper leg pad; thegoalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion configured to overliean upper leg region of the leg of the hockey goalkeeper, a knee portionconfigured to overlie a knee of the leg of the hockey goalkeeper, alower leg portion configured to overlie a lower leg region of the leg ofthe hockey goalkeeper, and a foot portion extending transversally andforwardly relative to the lower leg portion of the goalkeeper leg padand configured to overlie a skate of the hockey goalkeeper; and thedigitally-printed graphics are disposed in at least two of the upper legportion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portionof the goalkeeper leg pad.
 74. The method of claim 73, wherein thedigitally-printed graphics are disposed at least in the upper legportion and the lower leg portion of the goalkeeper leg pad.
 75. Themethod of claim 73, wherein the digitally-printed graphics are disposedat least in the upper leg portion, the lower leg portion, and the footportion of the goalkeeper leg pad.
 76. The method of claim 73, whereinthe digitally-printed graphics are disposed in the upper leg portion,the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion of thegoalkeeper leg pad.
 77. The method of claim 73, wherein thedigitally-printed graphics are disposed in at least one of the upper legportion, the knee portion, and the lower leg portion of the goalkeeperleg pad and in the foot portion of the goalkeeper leg pad.
 78. Themethod of claim 56, wherein the outer cover comprises digitally-printedsheet material including the digitally-printed graphics and extendingover an entirety of the outer surface of the article of protectivehockey-goalkeeping equipment.
 79. The method of claim 56, wherein: theouter cover comprises digitally-printed sheet material including thedigitally-printed graphics; and the article of hockey-goalkeepingequipment is free of material sewn over the digitally-printed sheetmaterial.
 80. The method claim 1, wherein the article of protectivehockey-goalkeeping equipment is free of stitching through thedigitally-printed graphics.
 81. The method of claim 56, wherein theouter surface of the article of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipmentis free of stitching adjacent to the digitally-printed graphics.
 82. Themethod of claim 56, wherein the outer surface of the article ofprotective hockey-goalkeeping equipment is free of stitching.
 83. Themethod of claim 56, wherein the article of protective hockey-goalkeepingequipment is free of lacing extending through the outer cover and thedigitally-printed graphics.
 84. The method of claim 56, wherein theouter cover comprises fibers.
 85. The method of claim 84, wherein: theouter cover comprises a fiber-based layer including the fibers and apolymeric layer distinct from the fiber-based layer; and thedigitally-printed graphics are digitally printed on the polymeric layer.86. The method of claim 56, wherein: the outer cover comprises adigitally-printed layer including the digitally-printed graphics; andthe method comprises affixing a graphical element over thedigitally-printed layer such that the graphical element constitutes partof the outer surface of the article of protective hockey-goalkeepingequipment.
 87. The method of any claim 1, wherein: the outer covercomprises underlying material beneath the digitally-printed graphics;and the digitally-printed graphics cover a molded curved part of theunderlying material.
 88. The method of claim 56, wherein the outer covercomprises molded recesses overlying the digitally-printed graphics. 89.The method of claim 88, wherein respective ones of the molded recessesare spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of the articleof protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment and a widthwise direction ofthe article of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment.
 90. The methodof claim 88, wherein the molded recesses impart a texture of the outercover such that the outer cover is textured.
 91. The method of claim 56,comprising receiving data indicative of a desired design for the outersurface of the article of protective hockey-goalkeeping equipment over anetwork, wherein the digitally-printed graphics are in accordance withthe desired design for the outer surface of the article of protectivehockey-goalkeeping equipment.
 92. The method of claim 91, wherein thedesired design for the outer surface of the article of protectivehockey-goalkeeping equipment is specified by the hockey goalkeeper usinga computing device of the hockey goalkeeper connected to the network.93. A method for making a pair of goalkeeper leg pads for a hockeygoalkeeper, the goalkeeper leg pads being wearable on legs of the hockeygoalkeeper to protect the legs of the hockey goalkeeper, each goalkeeperleg pad comprising: protective padding configured to be wider than agiven one of the legs of the hockey goalkeeper protected by thegoalkeeper leg pad; and an outer cover including an outer surface of thegoalkeeper leg pad, the method comprising: a) digitally printing on atleast part of the outer cover such that the outer cover comprisesdigitally-printed graphics; and b) placing the outer cover on theprotective padding.
 94. The method of claim 93, wherein thedigitally-printed graphics of a left one of the goalkeeper leg pads andthe digitally-printed graphics of a right one of the goalkeeper leg padsare visually combinable to form a visual continuation of one another.95. The method of claim 93, wherein the digitally-printed graphics of aleft one of the goalkeeper leg pads depict a left part of an object andthe digitally-printed graphics of a right one of the goalkeeper leg padsdepict a right part of the object that is visually combinable with theleft part of the object to visually form the object.